I got this text from a friend of mine (the irony is his name is Mike, too)...

Here was my response...

It depends on what the goal is. So I.F. has a number of benefits: 

✅ Increase in growth hormone (which helps burn fat) 

✅ Helps improve body’s response to insulin resistance 

✅ Reduces inflammation 

✅ Cellular repair 

Then there’s folks like me that use it to manage their weight so I use it as a simple "calorie management tool", especially during the holidays because I don't want to spend the first 6 months "undoing the damage" from the holidays. 

You’re eliminating one meal daily or perhaps fasting for 20-24 hours just one to two days a week, which reduces overall calories.

Now a "full" fast would mean no creamer in my coffee and that’s not going to happen. Haha. But it’s an easy way to cut calories with less “thinking”.

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Now I want to go a little deeper as I couldn't type all this in a text message because frankly - that would have taken me forever lol.

I know some people are intimidated by the idea of using fasting because it sounds like no fun. But many of my clients found it much easier than they expected.

Why?

Context matters.

Your personality, lifestyle, goals, and schedule might be a better fit with "modified fasting" VS "traditional fasting".

A "modified" fast is a great tool that is under the radar.

This is when you allow little things like creamer in your coffee or even some small tweaks to make "fasting" easier.

It's a great approach during the holidays when there's family gatherings, church events, work parties, etc.

Because let's be real here - you don't want to show up with a veggie platter or sit in the corner with your water and celery sticks. 

That is not realistic.

However, a modified fast is totally doable.

An example of this would be something like this... Let's say you have a work party or family gathering on a Friday night. 

During the day Friday, you eat enough to take the hunger edge off, and then enjoy yourself that night. 

The "trick" - aim for protein, but preferably a combination of protein and fat. For example:

12PM - Slice of Swiss cheese (protein and fat)

3PM - Beef jerky (protein)

Friday night - indulge! 

If you think about it, all you're doing is "shifting" your calories.

Again, doable. 

• It cuts hunger and make it easy to use the power of fasting
   
• Accelerates the release of fatty acids from your fat cells to burn for energy
   
• Improves the health of your mitochondria — the power factories of your cells — for youthful energy and strength
   
• Boosts the level of antioxidants in your blood to repair damaged cells and reverse signs of aging
   
• Reduces cholesterol for better heart health
   
• Improve your blood sugar and prevent diabetes
   
• Reduces inflammation so you feel better and never get sick!
   
• And much more…

Hopefully, this gave you some ideas so you don't end up spending the first six months of next year undoing the damage you produce these next few weeks. :) 

Have a great week!

Mikey